Why is Facebook spam so successful? Because unlike email spam, which comes unwanted to the mailbox, Facebook spam is propagated through user actions and driven by curiosity.
The “Stalker” spam we’ve been seing so much of lately is another example of such. Being a network driven by social interactions, Facebook is most vulnerable to socially engineered attacks like this one, because, after all, who isn’t curious about who’s viewing their profile. So people click, and in turn end up spamming their friends with the same.
Facecrooks is an excellent website with regular updates on various Facebook threats. About “Stalker” apps they explain the following:
“If you agree to install the application you must agree to give the application developer full access to your basic information, the right to post to your wall and access your data any time. Allowing them this access gives them permission to spam their message on your wall for all your friends to see. You should never give a third party application this much access unless you are 100% sure of their intentions and authenticity.”
They have also published a useful guide titled Facebook Profile Spy, Stalker & Creeper Apps – Everything you need to know, which deals in detail with various similar apps.
Facebook implements Samaritans suicide help system
But besides various threats users should be careful about, there are many positive sides to Facebook. One of the latest comes in the form of a facility on Facebook that allows friends to get help for a friend they believe may be suicidal. Siliconrepublic has the whole story.
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